Heat and pressure control system



July 29, 1941. K. c. BROWN Erm.

l HEAT AND PRESSURE CONTROL SYISTEM Filed Aug. 6, 1958 Patented any as, 194i andere naar aan PRESSURE con'raoi. SrS'raM Kenneth C. Brown, Evanstomvand Fredric E. Weyher, Chicago, Ill.; said Weyhcr assigner to said Brown Application. August s, 193s, serial No. 223,532

' 6 claims.

Our invention relates, generally, to electrical control systems, and it has particular relation to such systems employed for controlling the heat that is supplied to a building or the 'like in accordance with one or more variable factors, such as variations in temperature and pressure.

In order to maintain a desired temperature in a building that is heated by a fluid heating sys- A tem, certain varying factors are important in effecting the proper control of the amount of heat that is supplied to the building or other heating load from the fluid heating source. For example, the temperature outside the building constitutes an important factor in the control of the uid heating system. Variations in the temperature outside of a building are, of course, reected in the temperature inside of it. There Another object oi our invention is to provide drawing, and it comprises the features of conis a certain amount lof lag, depending upon the amount of heat that is transferred through the walls of the building. Variations in pressure in the fluid heating system should also be considered in regulating the functioning thereof. The functioning of the fluid heating system that is employed for supplying heat to the heating load should be arranged to be controlled in'accordance with these varying factors in such manner that the desired temperature will be maintained in the building with a minimum amount of fuel being required to prcvidethe same.

The object of our invention, generally stated, I

is to provide a heat control system that shall be simple and efficient in operation and which may be readily and economically manufactured and installed.

An object of our invention is to regulate the functioning of a fluid heating system in accordance with one or more varying factors in an improved manner.

Another object of our invention is to provide for automatically controlling the amount of heat that is supplied to a heating load by a heating system by using one or more manometer devices that are arranged to be responsive to one or more varying factors.

variations in pressure in the duid heating system. -55

struction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the system hereinafter set forth andthe scope oi' the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of our invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.,

in which the single figure illustrates diagrammatically a concrete embodiment of our invention.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be ob served that the rference character Il designates, generally, a boiler, the construction of which is well known, which may be employed for heating water and supplying it through a pipe I2 to a heating load designated generally at I3. It will be understood that the heating load may be of various types. For example, it may comprise the radiators in a building that is to be heated by theboiler il; It may also comprise an industrial heating load in which heat is required for carrying out certain operations, as will be readily understood. Provision may be made for returning the water to the boiler Il after the heat has been removed therefrom by the heating load, if desired.

The amount of hot water that flows through the pipe I2, and, accordingly, the amount of heat that is supplied to the heating load I3, is controlled by a valve I@ that is connected to be operated by a reversible motor, shown generally at I5. It will be understood that a solenoid operating mechanism may be provided in lieu of the reversible motor l5. The motor I5 may be of any suitable type lthat can be readily reversed for operating the valve It to open or close it, as the case may be. For example, the motor i5 may be of the series type, having an armature I@ that is mechanically connected to the valve direction as to operate the valve I4 toward the' closed position. Likewise, when the series 'eld winding I8 and the amature I6 are energized, the armature I rotates in `the opposite direction to open the valve I4.

'I'he operation of the motor I5 is controlled by control-relays, shown generally at 2| and 22. The relay 2I is provided .with a winding 2Iw for operating front and back contact members 2If and 2 I b. 'I'he control relay 22 is likewise provided with a winding 22w for controlling the operation of front and back contact members 22j and 22h. In order to effect marginal operation of the relays 2I and 22, the windings 2Iw and 22w are provided, having different resistances. For example, the resistance of the winding 2| w may be 1850 ohms, while the resistance of the winding 22w may be 2500 ohms. A capacitor 23 is connected across the winding 22w. For the particular values of resistances stated for the Awindings 2Iw and 22w, we have found that it is desirable to use, for the capacitor 23, one having a capacity of two microfarads. 'I'he particular arrangement of the relays 2I and 22 forms no part of the present invention. l

With a view to controlling the energization of the windings 2I w and 221D of the control relays 2I and 22, these windings are connectedvin series circuit relation and in series circuit relation with a valve, shown generally Aa1,"25. 'I'he electric valve 25 is provided with a cathode 25c, a control electrode 25g, and an anode 25a. By varying the conductivity of the electric valve 25, it is possible to selectively control the operation of the control relays 2I and 22 to in turn effect the selective operation of the motor I5 for-operating it in either direction or for holding it stationary.

The control of the conductivity of the electric valve 25 ls eiected by controlling the potential that is applied to the control electrode 25o. As shown, the control electrode 25a is connected through a suitable resistor 28 to one terminal 21 of a Wheatstone bridge circuit, shown generally at 28. The Wheatstone bridge circuit 28 comprises arms A, B, C and D. By varying the resistances of certain of these arms, it is possible 4 to change the potential ofthe control electrode iier valve 32 is-employed to provide half wave rectification of alternating current, a capacitor 33 is connected across its output circuit in order to reduce. somewhat the ripple of the rectine half waves.

. A transformer, shown generally at.35,-is provided for energizing the electrical apparatus hereinbefore described. It has a primary winding 36 `that may be connectedto any suitable source of. alternating current, such as a 60-cycle, 11G-volt source. The transformer 35 is also provided with secondary windings 31 throu'ghll. As illustrated, the secondary winding 31 is cmployed for energizing the heater element 32h of the rectifier valve 32, while the secondary winding 38 provides the source of alternating current that is rectified for energization of the Wheatstone bridge 28. The secondary winding 38 serves to energize the cathode 25e of the electric valve 25, while the secondary winding 40 pro-4 vides the operating potential for the plate circuit of this valve, and is connected to one terminal of th'e winding 22w of the control relay 22. The secondary winding 4I serves to provide a source of alternating current for operating the series type motor I5. It will be'observed that an adjustable resistor 42 and a capacitor 43 are con-l nected to the secondary winding 40 and to the control electrode 25g for modifying the trigger action o f the electric valve 25. The 'circuit for the control electrode 25g is completed by connecting the terminal 44 of the Wheatstone bridge 28 to a mid-point of the secondary winding 39.

As indicated hereinbefore, the conductivity of the electric valve 25 is changed by varying the potential that is applied to the control electrode 25g. 'I'his is effected by varying the resistances of certain 'of the arms A, B, C and vD of the Wheatstone bridge 28.

In the arm C, a variable resistance manometer device, shown generally at 41, is connected. This device is intended to be placed outside' of the building that is to be heated, assuming that this is the type of heating load in aparticular case, i and preferably it is positioned on the north side of the building,l where it will not be affected by the direct heat ofthe sun and at some distance frome the north wall, so that it will not be'affected by the temperature of the building.

The variable re ce manometer device 41 may comprise a U-tube 48 formed, for example, of glass. It contains a body of mercury 49 the position of which changes in accordance with variations in outside temperature.

A resistance element 50, in the form of a coil l vupper terminal of the element 50 is connected to a terminal 52 in the arm C and a conductor 53 connects this terminal 52 to a point intermediate the ends of the element 50. 'It will be understood that this connection may be adjusted as desired. A conductor 54 serves to connect the body of mercury 48 to the terminal :21 of the Wheatstone bridge 28. 'Ihe left-handl arm of the U-tube 48 is provided with a flexible bellows 55 and an adjusting screw 58 for varying the operation of the manometer device 41. It willbe understood that variations in outside temperature will cause corresponding variations in the level of the mercury 48 in the arms of the U-tube 48. For example, on increase in temperature the air above the mercury in the left-hand arm will be expanded and the level of,v the mercury therein will be decreased, while the level of the mercury in the other arml will be increased to short circuit a greater number of turns of the resistance element 5@ and correspondingly reduce the resistance inthe arm C of the Wheatstone bridge 28. Likewise, when the temperature decreases, a reverse operation takes place and the .resistance of the arm C is increased.

In order to control the functioning of the motor I and the valve le in accordance with the temperature of the water that ilowsfrom the boiler I l through the pipe I2, a resistor 59 is provided in a suitable housing 60 through which the heated water flows, the resistor 53 being so positioned that its temperature will be that of the water and yet insulated therefrom in a suitable manner. The resistor 59 is connected in the arm B and is preferably formed of a material having a high temperature coeflicient of resistance.

As indicated hereinbefore, it is desirable to control the functioning of the uid heating system in accordance with variations in pressure therein. For this purpose, the variable resistance manometer device, shown generally at 62, is provided. This device comprises a U-tube 63', which can be formed of glass, having an extension 64 for connection to the pipe I2. A body of mercury B5 is provided in the U-tube 63 for variably shortcircuiting turns of la resistor element 66 partially immersed therein. As shown, the elementV 86 may be wound on a suitable support rod 61. Conductors 68 and 69 serve to connect the element 66 into the arm D of the Wheatstone bridge 28. It will be understood that variations in pressure in the pipe I2 will cause corresponding` variations in the levels of the mercury 65 in the arms of the U-tube 63. For example, on increase in pressure in the pipe I2, the mercury in the righthandv arm of the U-tube B3 will be depressed, while the level in the left-hand `arm will be raised, to short-circuit more turns of the element 66 and, consequently, decrease the resistance of the arm D of the Wheatstone bridge 28.

Likewise, on lowering of the pressure in the pipe I2, the number of turns of the element 66 shortcircuited is`decreased and the resistance of the arm D is correspondingly increased.

With a view to further controlling the conductivity of the electric valve and increasing its effectiveness in controlling the functioning of the control relays 2I and 22, a variable resistor 12 is connected in the arm B of the Wheatstone bridge 28, the movable arm 13 of the variable resistor 12 being mechanically connected to the valve I4 so that, on operation of said valve,by the motor I5, thel arm 13 is also moved. The arrangement is such that the resistance of the arm B is increased by movement of the arm 13 in a clockwise direction on operation of the valve It to the open position. A reverse movement of the arm 49 takes place when the motor I5 drives the valve I4 toward the closed position.

In describing the operation of the heat control system, it will be assumed that initially the front contact members 2If of the control relay ZI are closed, and that the back contact members 22h of the control relay 22 are closed. Under these conditions, suicient current is permitted to flow through the electric valve 25 to energize the winding 2Iw sufficiently to maintain its front contact members 2If closed, but an insuiilcient lamount of current iiows throughA the winding 221D to open its back contact members 22h and close its front contact members 22j. lIt Will be apparent that neither of the windings I1 or I8 of the motor I5 will be connected for energization to the secondary Winding 4I of the transformer 35, under these conditions. Therefore, the armature I6 is stationary and no movement of the valve I4 is taking place.

Assuming now that the outside temperature decreases, the pressure on the mercury in the lefthand arm of the variable resistance manometer device d1 is lowered and the mercury level therein rises and is lowered in the right hand arm. Consequently, the resistance of the element 50 in the arm C is increased and a corresponding decrease takes place in the potential that is applied to the control electrode 25g. As a result,

the conductivity of the electric valve 25 is increased to such an extent that sufficient current ows through its plate circuit as will suiiiciently energize the winding 22w to open its back contact members 22h and close its front contact members 22j. On closure of the front contact members 22j, an obvious circuit will be completed for energizing the series field winding I8 and the armature I6 which, as indicated hereinbefore,

causes the motor I5 to operate the valve I4V toward the open position, thereby permitting' more hot Water to iiow to theheating load I3 in anticipation of the added heat required for maintaining the temperature of the building at the desired point. At the same time, the arm 13 is moved in a clockwise direction so that the resistance of the variable resistor 12 in the arm B is increased, with the result that the potential applied to the control electrode 25g is increased and the conductivity of the electric valve 25 is decreased. When the conductivity of the electric valve 25 is decreased to a predetermined extent, both of the control relays 2l and 22 drop out, thereby opening their front contact members 2| and 22j and closing their back contact members 2lb and 22h. It will now be apparent that a circuit is completed for energizing the series field winding I1 and the armature I6 because of the closure of both sets of back contact members 2lb and 22h and, as a result, the valve I4 Will be operated toward the closed position. At the same time, the arm 13 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction to decrease the resistance of the resistor 12 in the arm B of the Wheatstone bridge 28. The motor I5 continues to close the valve I4 until the potential applied to the control electrode 25g decreases to an extent sufficient to increase the conductiv-` ity of the electric valve 25. Sufficient current is then permitted to ow through it to energize the operating winding 2Iw of the control relay 2I, and its back contact members 2 Ib are opened and itsV front contact members ZI f are closed. While this current flows through theV winding 22w of the relay 22 also, it is not suliicient to pick it Aup. As a result of the opening of the back contact members .2Ib, the motor I5 is deenergized and remains in this condition until the resistances of the resistors in the arms B, C and D of the Wheatstone bridge 28 change in such manner as to call for further closing of the valve I4 or opening it again.

Thefunctioning of the variable resistance manometer device 62 is similar to that of the device 41. On increase in pressure in the pipe I2, the mercury 55 in the U-tube B3 is depressed in the right-hand arm and its level is raised in the vleft-hand arm, thereby short-circuiting addiextent that sufficient current no longer ows through the winding 2Iw to hold the contact members 2| f in the closed position. On closure of back contact' members 2lb, the series field winding I1 and armature I6 are energized and.

the valve I4 is operated toward the closed position.

invention 'may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing descriptionor shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

We claim as ou;- invention:

1. In a control apparatus for a closed hot water heating system including a'boiler from which heating fluid is supplied to a building, the combination of a bridge network provided with elee Since certain changes., may be made in the above system and different embodiments of the Cil' ments having resistances responsive respectively to the heating fluid pressure at the heated space land to the temperature at which heat .s supplied from said boiler, electron discharge means provided with an input circuit responsive to change in potential of said network and with an output circuit, means for varying the amount of heat supplied to said building, and means responsive to the current of said electron discharge device output circuit for controlling the operation of said heat varying means.

2. In a control apparatus for-a closed hot water heating system including a valve arranged to regulate the interchange of heating fluid between a boiler and a heat radiator, the combination of a bridge network provided with output terminals and with a plurality of' arms having their'resistances varied respectively in response to temperature outside the heated structure, to

' heating fluid temperature at the boiler and to heating uid pressure at the radiator, an electron discharge device provided with an input circuit connected to said bridge output terminals and with an output circuit, and means connected in said electron discharge device output ciri cuit for operating said valve.

3. In a control apparatus for a closed hot wa tween a. biler and a heat radiator, the combination of a bridge network provided with output terminals and with a plurality of arms having their resistances varied respectively in response to temperature outside the heated structure, to heating fluid temperature at the boiler and to heating fluid pressure at the radiator, an electron discharge device provided with an input circuit connected to said bridge output terminals and with an output circuit, means connected in said electron dischargedevice output circuit for operating said valve, and means responsive to operation of said valve for varying the resistance of said boiler heating fluid temperature responsive arm.

5. In a control apparatus for a closed hot water heating system including a valve arranged to regulate the interchange of heating fluid betweerga boiler anda heat radiator, the-combination of a bridge network provided with output terminals and with a plurality of arms having their resistances varied.respectively in response to temperature outside the .heated structure, to heating fluid temperature at the boiler and to heating fluid pressure at the. radiator, an electron discharge device provided with an input circuit connected to said bridge output terminals and with an output circuit, means connected in said electron discharge device output circuit for operating said valve, and a resistor mechanically coupled'to said valve for increasing the resistance of one of said arms as said valve opens and .decreasing the resistance of said arm as said valve closes.

6. In a control apparatus for a closed hot wal said electron discharge device output circuit for operating said valve, and means connected in said electron discharge device input circuit for adjusting .the bridge output terminal voltage at which operation oi' lsaid valve is initiated.

KENNETH C. BROWN. FREDRIC J. 'WEYHER. 

